Astros Spurn Howe's Pitch

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[i:02f348da9c]by Neil Hohlfeld
originally printed: The Sporting News, February 17, 1986[/i:02f348da9c]

HOUSTON -- Steve Howe, the relief pitcher whose career has been marred by several bouts with drug abuse, has made an evidently unsuccessful pitch to join the Houston Astros.

John Lence, the pitcher's new agent, said Howe is off drugs and wants to get back into baseball. Howe is undergoing drug rehabilitation and working as a sports commentator for a radio station in Whitefish, Mont.

Lence said Howe wants to pitch for the Astros because they have a reputation around the league as being a "clean" team in terms of drug use.

Lence and Howe talked three times to Astros General Manager Dick Wagner, and the response was negative.

"We talked about it (signing Howe) at a staff level," said Wagner. "After reviewing it, we decided we had no interest in him. I'd rather not go into the reasons why."

"Steve knows this is probably his last shot," said Lence.

"Here's a guy who's only 27 years old who wants one more chance. He told me he was tried of embarrassing himself. He just wants to get back and prove he can do it."